For weeks, Phil Clark, president of Claris Design Build, went to Planning & Zoning meetings to get approval for a rehabilitation project for the office buildings at 63 South Main Street, or what many Newtowners have come to know as Taunton Press.

Since the site closed, the buildings have sat empty, and many developers have passed on the site. Clark explained to P&Z Commission that Claris’ home is in Newtown, and the business is outgrowing the current headquarters at 53 Church Hill Road. Clark wanted to keep his business in Newtown, and with the recent acquisition of the 13-acre site, his business can stay in town.

Clark does not plan to only move his business into the site, though; his plans detailed adding a third building and converting the other office spaces into apartments. When all is said and done, the site will have 83 total rental units, 42 units in the new building, 26 units in one of the existing buildings, and 15 in the other building, which will be mixed use for commercial/office space. The property will also have other amenities, such as outdoor recreational facilities, a community garden, and a rain garden to help with storm water management.

On Thursday, October 16, Claris held an official groundbreaking ceremony for Taunton Woods. Clark invited several community leaders and members to join him in moving the first pile of dirt on a cold and windy morning. He took the small stage and welcomed everyone to the ceremony.

“We are in other states and elsewhere,” Clark said, “But this is our home, Newtown … Why have a groundbreaking ceremony for another apartment complex? ... It’s not just another apartment complex. There’s something really special about this. It’s saving a 50,000 square foot office building that’s been here since the early 80s when Taunton Press started their business.”

Clark told the crowd that it will stay the same from the outside, and that he will work to bring the building up to energy code by switching out some windows and doors. He noted that though it sounds easy, it really is a big job. Clark also invited representatives from Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited, a conservation group he worked closely with during the presentations to P&Z and will continue to work with throughout the development of the property.

“The story is also about working with this conservation group, and, frankly, as developers, we heard they wanted to talk to us and honestly we were like, ‘Oh boy.’ Conservation group and developers, usually it’s oil and water and it doesn’t really work, but these guys were great, and they had a purpose and they had a need and a desire, and they were willing to work with us,” Clark said.

Clark urged the audience to go out and look at the back of the property. He said the pond is “very serene” and “if you go out there and you don’t smile, you probably need therapy.” He also shared a story of going into his father’s office and reading magazines called Fine Homebuilding, a magazine published by Taunton Press. He mentioned that he felt like everything has come “full circle” and is excited to bring this project to fruition.

Commissioner Mark Boughton spoke next, and shared on behalf of Governor Ned Lamont and himself that they are both excited to see this project come to light.

“I understand how important this particular project is. It’s not easy to site these projects and to place them, but there’s not, probably, a more beautiful spot than here in all of Western Connecticut. This building is gorgeous,” Boughton said. “I grew up right around the corner … I’ve driven by this thousands of times, and I’ve always admired this building, so this is a really cool thing that we can keep … the exterior the way it is … Myself, and the governor, we’re just really pumped up about this. If the market drives solutions like it is right here, we’re not going to have a housing problem in the future if we can turn the engines of our entrepreneurship out there and get things built.”

Clark then took a moment to recognize the various town employees who took the time out of their day to attend the ceremony. Among those were Fire Marshal Rich Frampton, Director of Economic and Community Development John Voket, Land Use Director Rob Sibley, and State Representative Mitch Bolinsky. Clark said that it is “very rare and unique” that people who work for the town that “actually [care].”

First Selectman Jeff Capeci then shared a few words, echoing excitement from others for the project. He thanked Clark for bringing the project to Newtown and for creating an opportunity for workforce housing, something he thinks Newtown needs.

Clay Fowler, a partner for Claris with Spinnaker Real Estate Partners LLC, spoke next. He expressed his love for Connecticut and for Clark, as well as the Claris team. He, too, echoed the excitement for this project.

Frank Caico, a Newtown resident himself, was next to take the microphone. He shared a story of how he came to be involved with Design Advisory Board through Clark, and how after a few meetings, Clark told him he was resigning from the board.

“I’m hoping that doesn’t happen here, Phil,” he joked. He returned to a more serious tone and expressed his excitement and pride for this project as a Newtown resident himself.

Neil Baldino, vice president of Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited, was the last to speak. Baldino focused his attention on Deep Brook, a class one trout stream that has active, native trout.

“It’s a clean, very healthy water system. And it was great that Phil and Claris came to us when they heard our concerns about a property like this so close to that waterway,” Baldino said. He also pointed out that Pootatuck Watershed Association was also in these conversations because, as Baldino said, “That’s our drinking water. So, as a nonprofit organization, we spend a lot of volunteer hours to keep it that way.”

Baldino ended his comments by saying, “We thank Claris Design for having us and listening to us. This is a win-win story.”

Clark thanked all the speakers for sharing their words and then invited the local politicians and town employees to assist in the groundbreaking.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.